Media Releases

Member for the Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is encouraging all parents and guardians of school aged children to participate in the Victoria Walks to School Day on Wednesday the 19th of October.

Walk to School Day aims to raise awareness of the need for children to make healthy exercise part of their daily routine to improve their fitness, friendships and help the environment.

Mrs Powell said Walk to School Day is a great way to encourage young people to adopt a more active lifestyle.

“Good habits learned early will have life-long benefits. A love of regular exercise is one of the best habits we can develop,” Mrs Powell said.

“More than 25% of Australian children are overweight or obese, which obviously needs to change and this is a great initiative for that change to begin,” Mrs Powell said.

“Studies show children need a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity a day and by incorporating a walk to school into the daily routine of children we can put them on track to a healthier lifestyle.

“This activity promotes the health benefits of walking and will help create regular walking habits at an early age.

“It will also help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.”

“I encourage all children, parents and carers to participate in this year’s Victoria Walks to School Day and make it another successful day,” Mrs Powell said.

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is encouraging students across the Shepparton district to embrace a healthier start to the day by celebrating National Ride2School Day on Wednesday 16th March.

Mrs Powell said National Ride2School Day was an important opportunity to promote physical activity as a means of transport which has proven benefits to a child’s health and wellbeing.

“Getting to and from school actively dramatically increases students daily physical activity, which benefits their overall health and helps reduce the risk of obesity and associated help problems,” Mrs Powell said.

“Many kids are being driven relatively short distances to school, trips that are easily ride or walkable, and they’re missing out on a great chance for some exercise.

“I encourage parents to ride with their children so they become familiar with the neighbourhood and can learn about how easy these journeys can be beyond just the event day,” Mrs Powell said.

“Children who develop a healthy, active lifestyle when they are young are much more likely to maintain those habits in adulthood, something that is critical with obesity levels among adult Australians now reaching alarming levels.”

“This is a great opportunity for parents to reinvigorate their child’s journey to school and to address preventable diseases like diabetes and obesity.

Mrs Powell applauded schools across the Shepparton district who are participating in National Ride2School Day today - one of Australia’s largest celebrations of active travel.

“It’s a fantastic achievement and schools participating in the event should be supported and congratulated for their efforts,” Mrs Powell said.

Parents and teachers looking for advice, strategies, tips and further information on active travel – including how to map out the safest route to school - can visit the Ride2School website at www.ride2school.com.au

The Nationals Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell is encouraging residents of the Shepparton District who want to know more about the effects of eating disorders to register for the special screening of Diane Israel’s film, Beauty Mark: Body Image & the Race for Perfection.
Mrs Powell said to mark the start of 2010’s Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week, Eating Orders Victoria is presenting a special screening of the film which examines Diane Israel’s own struggle with anorexia.
The screening of the film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Chair of Victorian Positive Body Image Advisory Committee, Nicole Livingstone, an Olympic & Commonwealth Medallist; Rob Anderson, CEO Wheelchair Sports Victoria; Erin Young, Director Real girl Productions; and Nicky Brown, YMCA Centre program Director.
Mrs Powell is the deputy chair of the Parliamentary Family and Community Development committee, which in 2005 conducted an inquiry into Issues relating to the Development of Body Image among Young People and Associated Effects on their Health and Wellbeing.
“Our Committee met in Shepparton in 2004 and heard submissions from medical practitioners, a school welfare co-ordinator, Valley Sport and private citizens who were in some way affected by body image issues,’’ Mrs Powell said.
“Students from a number of local secondary schools also gave evidence about risky behaviours caused by the pressure of conforming to unrealistic images in the media.
“We heard many devastating stories about the effects of anorexia and bulimia and heard evidence about the lack of services and support in country Victoria for people and families dealing with these eating disorders.
“The committee also learnt there is not a one-size-fits-all approach for treating eating disorders, because there are so many different triggers and factors.
“I encourage residents of the Shepparton District who want to know more about eating disorders to register for this important event,” Mrs Powell said.
The film will be shown on Sunday 5 September 3.00 PM – 5.15 PM at Kaleide Theatre, RMIT, Building 8 Level 2, 360 Swanston Street, Melbourne.
For more information or to register go to www.eatingdisorders.org.au